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Apr 13, 2010

In the late 1700’s, the area that is now the province of Alberta was populated only by small groups of First Nations peoples, including the Blackfoot, Beaver and Sarcee tribes. As European settlers in Eastern Canada and the US increased, other tribes such as the Cree and Assiniboine also made their way into the Alberta area.

The first European settlement was founded by Peter Pond on behalf of the North West Company, at Fort Chipewyan. It was founded in 1788, and provided the departure point for Mackenzie’s exploration of the rivers of Western Canada. The Hudson’s Bay Company soon began planting it’s own flags on the westernmost prairie, sending David Thompson and Peter Fidler to explore and map the area. Later, the two companies would merge, and the entire area would be under the control of the Hbc.

In 1870, the Canadian government claimed the lands for their own, and created the North West Territories. The territory stretched from Manitoba to the Rockies. The progression of the prairie settlements was slow, but steady. When the Canadian Pacific Railway reached Calgary in 1883, settlers trickled in with a bit more speed. After the end of the Long Depression, populations boomed.

The rivalry between Alberta’s capital, Edmonton, and the southern city of Calgary is a long standing one. It likely started with the arrival of the competing trading companies of Hbc and the North West Company, but it continues to this day. Both cities host NHL hockey teams, and games between the Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames are viewed with excitement by fans on both sides.

The metropolitan area of both cities is home to just over 1 million people. Edmonton is also home to the world famous West Edmonton Mall, which is the largest shopping centre in North America. In addition to offering more than 800 shops, it is also an indoor amusement park. Visitors can enjoy miniature golf, roller coaster rides, submarine adventures and much more.

Calgary is famous for The Calgary Stampede, an annual rodeo and exhibition. The event is host to a variety of trade shows, musical guests, amusement rides and agricultural exhibits. Each year the Royal Canadian Mounted Police perform the historical Musical Ride - a traditional display of skill that is a great symbol of our Canadian heritage.

Alberta is also the paleontology center of Canada, and home to the dinosaur capital of the world. In 1884, J.B. Tyrell discovered the first Albertasaurus skull in the southern badlands. It would be the beginning of a unique and interesting future for the town of Drumheller. Today, visitors can learn about the history of the area, and dinosaur science, at the Royal Tyrell Museum.

The province of Alberta has been home to many important and famous Canadians. Some of our prairie-grown celebrities include Elisha Cuthbert, Kurt Browning, and the Hart family. Long before the invention of the television that helped to create these stars, there were many important personalities helping to shape the face of our country.

The Famous Five - a group of strong minded women from across Canada - worked from the province to achieve equal rights for Canadian women. Emily Murphy, Henrietta Muir Edwards, Louise McKinney, Irene Parlby, and Nellie McClung are still inspiring young women with their determination and achievements. The work of the Famous Five contributed to the eventual success of the women’s suffrage movement, changing the country’s political and cultural landscape forever.

Thanks to women like the Famous Five, many Canadian women are able to make choices about their lives, families and careers. Many of today’s Canadians enjoy the freedom to create art, and run their own business. To see examples of these great entrepreneurs, visit some of our proud Albertan team members: